Houston DACA Lawyer

DREAM Act/Deferred Action Lawyer Ready to Assist You

“Dream” Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a policy established on June 15, 2012, when the Secretary of Homeland Security issued a memorandum creating a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) process for deferring action against people who came to the U.S. as children. DACA was not passed as legislation, but it includes portions of the famous DREAM Act.

On August 15, 2012, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started accepting I-821D form applications for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which may offer the following benefits to eligible applicants:

• Deferred action on deportation and removal proceedings for two years, subject to USCIS approval and the validity period on the applicant’s notices
• Permission to work in the U.S. for those who receive an approved employment authorization document
• Other privileges may apply depending on state agency rules and individual circumstances, such as qualifying for a driver’s license
• Eligibility for a Social Security card for those with approved employment authorization
• Eligibility for obtaining a state driver’s license in states that permit it

It is critical to work with a DACA attorney in Houston to fully understand your legal options and those of your children. A denial can have serious consequences, and the response available to you depends on the notice you receive and your individual facts, which is why getting the application right from the start matters so much.

Working with The Law Office of Mana Yegani, you can receive tailored guidance for your DACA matter. Connect with a DACA attorney in Houston as soon as possible.

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Why Houston DACA Applicants Work with The Law Office of Mana Yegani

Attorney Mana Yegani leads our firm and is directly involved in each client’s case. With more than a decade of legal experience in immigration matters, including visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense, she brings a thorough understanding of how DACA fits into a broader immigration picture. Clients have direct access to Attorney Yegani rather than being passed to support staff, which means the person reviewing your documents and advising your next steps is the attorney of record.

Our firm serves a multilingual Houston community. Our team communicates in Farsi, Spanish, and Russian in addition to English, which allows us to work closely with clients across Southeast Texas without language becoming a barrier to clear legal advice. A DACA consultation with our firm may be appropriate when you need help assessing eligibility, organizing evidence, reviewing prior immigration history, or understanding how DACA interacts with another immigration matter you are pursuing.

Attorney Yegani’s commitment to immigrant communities extends beyond the office. During the Trump Travel Ban, she was on the ground advocating for affected individuals and received international recognition and the Unsung Hero Award for that work. The firm has also received the Clients’ Choice Award, and Attorney Yegani holds a 5-star rating on Avvo, reflecting the level of personalized attention our clients experience throughout their cases.

Is DACA Still Accepting New Applications?

USCIS is not processing new initial DACA requests. A series of federal court rulings — including a 2021 injunction and a Fifth Circuit decision in January 2025 — found the DACA program itself unlawful, though the courts have allowed USCIS to continue accepting and adjudicating renewal requests from people who already had DACA. This means current DACA recipients can still renew, but individuals without prior DACA status generally cannot obtain it through a new initial application right now.

The legal landscape here continues to change, and rules can differ based on your specific circumstances. If you're unsure whether you qualify to file — whether as a renewal or, in certain limited situations, potentially as an initial applicant — an consultation with our office is the best way to get an accurate answer.

Are You Eligible for DACA?

Evidence of your presence in the U.S., a birth certificate, school records, and any military service records are a few of the requirements for the application.

Criteria for Deferred Action Eligibility:

• Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
• Entered the U.S. before the 16th birthday
• Resided in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007, up to the present
• Physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of application
• Entered the U.S. without inspection before June 15, 2012, or had lawful immigration status that expired as of June 15, 2012
• Currently enrolled in school, graduated, obtained a certificate of high school completion, obtained a GED, or were honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces
• Not convicted of a felony, a “significant misdemeanor,” or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

These are the general criteria for DACA eligibility. Because new initial applications are not currently being processed, this criteria list is most relevant for confirming eligibility for renewal or for understanding your options if the legal landscape shifts. Our Houston DACA lawyer can help assess your situation by analyzing your legal documents and personal history to confirm alignment with DACA requirements. Additionally, we offer strategic advice on compiling supplementary records that might strengthen your application, ensuring all facets of the process are addressed from the start to avoid potential obstacles.

When we meet with you at our Houston office, we review the timeline of your entry to the United States, your school history in Texas, and any contact you may have had with immigration or law enforcement. We then compare this information against the current USCIS instructions to determine if there are any gaps that need to be addressed with additional evidence or legal argument. By taking the time to prepare this analysis before filing, we help you decide whether now is the right moment to file or if you should first resolve other issues that could affect your DACA request.

Many people who qualify for DACA have questions about how their status interacts with other immigration options, such as family petitions or future residency applications. We explain how DACA fits into your long-term plans so you can make informed choices instead of treating the application as an isolated step. For some clients in Southeast Texas, coordinating the timing of a DACA filing with other pending or potential applications is an important part of considering options while they pursue more permanent solutions.

Current DACA Filing Status

The status of DACA has been shaped by ongoing federal court proceedings, and the rules governing who can file and what USCIS can do with a filing depend on where those proceedings stand at the time you submit. As of the most recent USCIS guidance, USCIS continues to accept initial DACA requests but is currently prohibited from approving them or issuing related employment authorization for first-time applicants under the existing court-order framework. Renewal requests, by contrast, continue to be accepted and adjudicated under existing policy.

Because the legal landscape can shift, the status described here must be verified against current USCIS updates before you file. A person considering an initial request should receive legal advice about whether submitting a filing is appropriate when approval is not currently available. A renewal applicant should review expiration dates, prior approval notices, employment authorization validity, travel history, any arrests or convictions, and changes in immigration circumstances before the renewal window opens. Our Houston DACA law firm monitors these developments closely and discusses the current state of the program with each client before recommending next steps.

About the DACA Application

The DACA application itself consists of three forms (I-821D, I-765, I-765WS), and applicants must pass a background check. If you have a juvenile criminal record or other criminal convictions, you should consult with a deferred action lawyer in Houston.

Completing the DACA application requires meticulous attention to detail. Each form serves a specific purpose: I-821D focuses on deferred action consideration, I-765 is for employment authorization, and I-765WS documents your economic need to work. Our team guides you through these forms and any supplementary materials required, checking for accuracy and completeness. In the case of those with criminal backgrounds, we provide informed legal insights into potential mitigating strategies that may be relevant to USCIS’s review.

Do Not Work with Notarios

DHS processes tens of thousands of DACA applications each month. Many applications undergo delays, and some are rejected. Do not fall for the fraud of dishonest legal advisors, infamously known as “notarios.” Notarios are not lawyers. Avoid relying on anyone who makes promises about preventing a denial or delay. Hire an immigration lawyer near you who has experience in deferred action cases.

When you work with a licensed attorney, you also have access to professional obligations and ethical rules that do not apply to notarios. Our firm maintains written agreements, keeps your information confidential, and provides honest assessments about risks instead of making promises just to collect a fee. If we identify issues that make a DACA filing unsafe, we explain those concerns clearly so you can avoid steps that could expose you or your family to unnecessary attention from immigration authorities.

We have met many clients in Houston who came to us only after a notario submitted incorrect forms or gave advice that damaged their case. In those situations, our first task is often to try to correct the record and reduce the harm that has already been done. Meeting with an attorney at the beginning of the process can help you avoid these expensive and stressful mistakes and give you a better foundation if future immigration options become available.

DACA Application Fee

USCIS filing fees for DACA can change, and the correct amount depends on the current fee schedule, the filing method, and the form requirements in effect when you submit. A filing with an incorrect fee may be rejected, so you should verify the current fee directly through the USCIS fee schedule before submitting your application or renewal. Attorney fees are separate from government filing fees and should be discussed directly with our firm.

The financial aspect of applying for DACA can be a concern for many applicants. Our Houston office provides support in assembling the necessary documentation related to application costs and keeps clients informed of developments that may affect what they owe at the time of filing.

Collaborating with Local Institutions for DACA Support in Houston

Local institutions can play an important role in supporting DACA recipients in Houston. Colleges and universities often provide support services for DACA students, and some employers and licensing agencies have specific documentation requirements for recipients based on their current employment authorization status. Because institutional policies and available benefits vary, DACA recipients should confirm requirements directly with the relevant school, employer, or agency rather than relying on general summaries.

Local government initiatives occasionally provide platforms for dialogue and policy development, which focus on broadening the scope of opportunities available to DACA recipients. Participating in these discussions can lead to more inclusive policies that support educational and career advancement, giving recipients a chance to make meaningful contributions to Houston’s growth.

DACA Renewal Process & Timelines

For many people in Houston, renewal is the most frequent interaction they have with the DACA program, and missing a deadline can have serious consequences. Renewal filings generally follow the same basic structure as an initial request, but they require up-to-date evidence of your continued presence in the United States and your ongoing educational or employment activities. We help you map out the months leading up to your expiration date so you know when to gather records, when to schedule an appointment with a Houston DACA attorney on our team, and when to submit your paperwork to reduce the risk of any gap in work authorization.

USCIS advises renewal applicants to file within the 120-to-150-day window before their current period expires to reduce the risk of a lapse, but processing times and agency guidance can change. Because USCIS processing times can shift, we pay close attention to current trends and recent experiences from DACA recipients in Texas. If cases handled through the service center that processes applications from the Houston area are taking longer than usual, we can discuss this with you so you can plan for possible delays. During this period, we remain available to answer questions about receipt notices, biometrics appointments at local facilities, and any follow-up requests for evidence that might arrive before a decision is made.

Our team keeps a detailed internal checklist for each client so that important dates, such as the opening of the renewal window and your current expiration date, are tracked. Renewal review should also account for changes in address, travel history, family or immigration circumstances, and any arrests or convictions since the prior approval. This organized approach is especially helpful for students at local institutions and workers with demanding schedules around Harris County who may not have time to track every detail on their own. By partnering with us early in the renewal cycle, you can prepare for renewal timing and supporting documentation before your expiration date.

For dedicated legal assistance, connect with our qualified Houston DACA attorney at The Law Office of Mana Yegani. Dial (832) 981-2170 or use our online form to arrange your consultation right away.

Frequently Asked Questions about DACA

DACA provides work authorization through an approved employment authorization document. Employment authorization is tied to the validity period shown on the document and depends on continued USCIS approval. Employers can hire recipients legally with valid permits. A DACA attorney in Houston can help applicants understand eligibility, renewals, and employment documentation.

Can DACA Recipients Travel Outside the US?

DACA recipients in Texas may only travel outside the U.S. with an approved Advance Parole document, which is a discretionary grant that must be approved before departure and is generally limited to specific humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes. Departing without an approved Advance Parole document can result in serious consequences, including bars on reentry. A Houston DACA lawyer can help you understand whether Advance Parole is available for your circumstances and assist with preparing the application and documentation.

How Does DACA Affect Access to Education?

DACA may improve access to higher education in Texas by potentially allowing students to qualify for in-state tuition at some institutions and apply for certain scholarships and financial aid programs, though eligibility depends on the specific institution or agency, applicable state law, and is not guaranteed for all Texas recipients. Valid employment authorization may help students support themselves while studying. A DACA attorney in Houston can assist students in understanding eligibility, school-based benefits, and maintaining compliance while pursuing academic goals.

What Should I Do If My DACA Application Is Denied?

If a DACA application is denied in Texas, it is important to review the denial notice carefully to understand the reason and determine the next steps available based on your specific facts and the notice you received. Options may include refiling with corrected information or exploring other immigration relief, and acting promptly matters to avoid further complications. A DACA lawyer in Houston can evaluate the case, identify errors, and help develop a strategy to address eligibility issues or alternative legal pathways.

Our DACA lawyer in Houston handles a host of immigration matters. Call (832) 981-2170 to learn more. We speak English and Spanish!